In case you’ve not been online in the last month, “Game of Thrones” airs next week. Season 5 brings us many changes – here’s what to expect. (SEASON FOUR SPOILERS AHEAD. If you’re not caught up, you should maybe do that.)
Season 4 ended quite dramatically last April, when yet another Hand to the King – Tywin Lannister – was killed at the hands of his son Tyrion. It is expected that the new season will pick up shortly after Tywin’s funeral. Cersei is, once again, furious and wearing black. Tyrion is on the run (or in exile, depending who you ask.)
Season 5 will also introduce a new kingdom: Dorne, where Myrcella was sent a few seasons ago. Now that the Mountain has killed Prince Oberyn Martell, the rest of the Martells are out for revenge – including his eight deadly daughters, the Sand Snakes.
Apparently eight badass women was too many for the sexist “Game of Thrones” writers, though, so they have been limited to three – Obara, the eldest, whose weapon of choice is a spear like her father; Nymeria, who uses a bullwhip, and Tyene, who favors double daggers.
The show, and storyline, grows increasingly complicated. Now, we will bounce between Westeros, Jon Snow on the Wall, Daenerys in Essos, and Dorne. Even this is simplifying things.
The first episode is titled “The Wars to Come.” Critics have said that the season wastes no time in adding tension. George R.R. Martin will not write an episode next season, instead focusing on finishing “The Winds of Winter.” If you can’t wait any longer – he’s released a Sansa-centric excerpt. Our beloved characters face even more trying events as new players enter the War of Kings.
Only the staples are certain: magic, betrayal, sex and action.
Valar Morghulis — all men must die.
“Game of Thrones” returns on Sunday, April 12 on HBO. It’ll probably crash the website again — last year 6.6 million people watched the premiere. But the show is diverging from the books, now. Yes, all men must die —but now, we really don’t know which ones.
